The Importance of Design Research.

Side Table, designed by Clement Meadmore, 1954. There has been a lot of talk about the value of research and arguably some confusion about what is involved when it comes to researching Australian Mid-Century designers. With this is mind, I thought it might be useful to highlight the importance of design research, by using an

That obscure object of desire: Steel rod furniture

B.K.F Chair by Austral Group, Buenos Aires c.1938 I don’t know what it is about steel rod furniture that I find so pleasing, but it seems that during the 1950’s there was a global design trend that involved the use of steel to produce countless homewares, lamps and furniture. Overseas designers such as Charles and

Modern Design Auction In Melbourne

If you haven’t heard heard the news, then you will be pleased to know that Leonard Joel Auctions in Melbourne are holding a Modern Design auction on 12 pm Sunday 7 October, 2012. The auction features pieces by well known international designers, but more importantly there are loads of original and rare pieces by Australian industrial designers, ceramicists and artists.

Australian Modernism: A brief reading guide

It’s summer and what better time to catch up on all that reading you have been promising yourself over the past year. So, in order to make the task a little easier I have put together a brief reading guide to satisfy your modernist cravings. Apart from a couple of new releases, the rest of

Australian Modern: The Magazine

If you loved Chris Osborne’s ‘Brisbane Modern’ magazine, then you will be literally counting down the days until the national release of his latest publication ‘Australian Modern’ in February, 2012. The magazine is a must read for anyone who is interested in Australian design culture and architecture. It promises to be chock full of fun

A Matter of Looking: Clement Meadmore film

If you are a regular reader of the Australian Modern blog, you will already be familiar with the name Clement Meadmore. Whether you are a fan of his furniture or his iconic twisting metal sculptures, it’s hard to ignore the unique talent of Clement Meadmore, nor his important place in our art history. Although Meadmore achieved

C20 – 100 years of Australian art from the TMAG collection

John and Betty John Brack 1969 oil on canvas If you just can’t get enough of Australian 20th Century Art and Design, then you’ll be pleased to know that the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG) has an exhibition featuring  paintings and decorative arts from some of Australia’s best artists and designers. According to the

Clement Meadmore Furniture.

Australian artist Clement Meadmore made furniture during the 1950’s before he found international success as a sculptor. Most of his work is constructed using steel rod and cotton or synthetic cord, but the simplicity and sculptural quality make his chairs something quite unique. Below is a sample of some of his work from the fifties.

Is the Featherston chair over-rated?

There is a lot of hype surrounding Featherston’s now iconic contour chairs but is the hype deserved? It’s a well known fact that many of these 50’s classics are prone to leg damage in the form of splits and breaks, and when your paying anywhere between $2,000-10,000 for a chair you really do want something

How to find Australian Modern furniture

You’ve seen all the home magazines and you know what you like, but how do you land that beautiful vintage piece? Well, there are a number of ways to go about it. Whether it’s an auction, ebay,  op shop, Sunday market, or one of the many many secondhand dealers who specialize in mid-century modern, it